STORIES FROM THE WEB

Stat Line Of The Night — 4/30/12 — Ryan Braun

With only four home runs and 11 RBI in his first 22 games of the 2012 MLB season, many may have been wondering if Ryan Braun’s days of juicing and winning MVP trophies were over after the 2011 NL MVP escaped punishment for his positive drug test at the end of last season. Following last night’s performance at the plate, those same people may now be wondering if the Brewers’ left-fielder is back on the juice.

Braun seemed to suddenly regain the power in his bat during yesterday’s game against the Padres, as he belted three homers and a triple in five at-bats, while scoring three runs and cashing in six RBIs. It was by far his best performance of the season, as he bumped his totals to seven home runs, 17 RBIs, and a .294 batting average, all while leading the Brewers to the 8-3 victory.

That sudden surge of power has moved Braun’s home run and RBI totals this season from well below last season’s pace, to well above it. It was also his first career three-homer game, and it earned him “The Stat Line of the Night” for Monday, April 30, 2012.